"Condition of Competition" Equipment Rule
As our commitment to ensure you get the most out of your
equipment and game, we thought it would be a good idea to remind
you of the future "Groove Rule Change" and how this will affect
you.
To conform to the new regulations, manufacturers have to produce
equipment that meets the "Condition of Competition" requirements
which includes not only wedges, but irons too.
What has happened so far is that from January
1st 2010, all elite tours including the
European Tour & PGA Tour must now use conforming grooves under
the "Condition of Competition" rules.
As from January 1st 2011,
manufacturers will no longer be able to produce or supply
non-conforming heads and will only be able to manufacture heads
that conform to the new groove rule. However, depending on your
status you will still be able to use non-conforming grooves until
the following dates:
January 1st 2014 - Elite amateur
events & developmental professional tours
January 1st 2024 - "Condition of
Competition" rule in force for all golfers
Even though retailers & fitters will still be able to sell
non-conforming heads, provided they have stock, by 2024 it is
expected that all golfers will have made the transition to conform
to the new regulations.
With the dates set for the slow integration of the new rules,
for many of us we will not need to worry about it just yet.
However, if you do want to upgrade or replace your wedges, or would
like back-up wedges which are non-conforming, then time is running
out as we will only be able to obtain such models until the end of
the 2010.
To conclude, if purchasing equipment that entered the market
before January 1st 2011, the likelihood is that these
will be non-conforming heads. Any equipment released after this
date by the manufacturers will have to conform to the new
regulations and will have some kind of insignia on the club head to
denote its conforming status.
If you have any questions regarding this topic, you are always
welcome to make contact with us at Precision Golf, where we will be
happy to answer any questions you may have.